The United States FDA has granted marketing approval to a new drug to help treat schizophrenia. Called Fanapt (iloperidone), the medication is intended to treat adults with schizophrenia while in the acute phases. It isn’t yet known how long they should be kept on the medication once the acute phases is over, but researchers agree that if the patient is responding, continuing with the treatment is encouraged.

According to a company press release , “The approval was supported by two placebo-controlled Phase III clinical studies comparing Fanapt(TM) to placebo and active control in patients with schizophrenia, as well as safety data …read more

Yesterday’s Washington Post reports on research that may reveal potential causes of schizophrenia starting as early as the womb. Says the article,
Over the past several decades, a steady stream of studies has documented that people born in winter and spring have an increased risk for schizophrenia, a serious mental illness characterized by disordered thinking, hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms.
Explanations for the increased risk have ranged from the astrological — different signs of the zodiac have been associated with various mental problems — to accounts that suggested the risk came from seasonal variations in sunlight.
In recent months and years, scientists have …read more

It’s another theme day at b5media, and this month is all about mental health. Check out the round-up of posts over at Alzheimer’s Notes with Mary Emma Allen and Liz Lewis.
Particularly in the United States, where mental illness is often seen as a sign of weakness and self-medication (with alcohol, drugs, and even over-committed lifestyles) is common, many women are living their lives with undiagnosed psychological and emotional illnesses that are completely treatable.
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, there are seven categories of mental disorder that are particularly common in women:

Anxiety Disorders, including OCD, panic, PTSD, social …read more